Upcoming Event: Softball versus Villanova on February 21, 2026 at 3:45 PM
3:45 PM
Softball
vs. Villanova
Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Photo by: Cadence Whitehouse
Owls Tally Two Wins on Second Day of Joan Joyce Classic
2/20/2026 10:20:00 PM | Softball
BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Florida Atlantic softball team picked up a pair of wins on day two of the Joan Joyce Classic, first defeating UMass by a 4-1 score before trouncing Southern Indiana in an 11-0 combined no-hitter.
In the early afternoon on Joan Joyce Field at FAU Softball Stadium, the Owls (9-5) leaned on senior pitcher Autumn Courtney against the Minutewomen (5-7) as she put forth her strongest performance of the young season.
Later in the evening, a trio of freshmen: Makenna Lee, Ashlynn Durkin, and Madilyn Byrd, combined forces to not allow a hit, while the bats came alive to produce 11 runs against the Screaming Eagles (1-8) in the five-inning run rule victory.
GAME ONE
Courtney delivered in the circle, dealing a season-high nine strikeouts in 6.1 innings of work.
A home run by sophomore Lily Holtje in the bottom of the fourth broke the scoreless start before the Minutewomen responded with a run of their own in the top of the fifth.
The Owls scored three in the bottom frame to go back up, starting with sophomore second baseman Destiny Johns delivering a go-ahead hit for the second game in a row and followed by a two-RBI double from Holtje.
Graduate Ainsley Lambert picked up the save, checking in at the top of the seventh and striking out two to end the game.
GAME TWO
Lee got the start and made quick work of Screaming Eagle batters in three innings, retiring nine of the 10 she faced. She earned the win to improve her record to 3-0.
The Owls' offense got started right away in the bottom of the first and batted around the lineup on the way to four runs, highlighted by a two-RBI single from Johns. After loading the bases in the bottom of the second, senior catcher Chloe Yeatts drew a walk to build a 5-0 lead.
Six runs in the bottom frame of the third put the game in run-rule territory, starting with redshirt junior outfielder Kylie Hammonds logging a triple to bring home sophomore Bella Foran and capitalized by a deep two-run single from junior Ciara Gibson.
Durkin and Byrd each struck out the side in their respective innings, punching out six straight batters to end the game.
NOTES/NOTABLE
QUOTABLE
UP NEXT
The Owls will once again play two games on the third day of the Joan Joyce Classic, facing Villanova and then Southern Indiana for the second time. The games are tentatively scheduled for 3:45 and 6:15 p.m., respectively, and will air on FAUSports.com.
FOLLOW THE OWLS
For the Owls' complete schedule, click HERE. To follow the team socially, visit @fausoftball, or for the most up-to-date information, go to www.fausports.com.
In the early afternoon on Joan Joyce Field at FAU Softball Stadium, the Owls (9-5) leaned on senior pitcher Autumn Courtney against the Minutewomen (5-7) as she put forth her strongest performance of the young season.
Later in the evening, a trio of freshmen: Makenna Lee, Ashlynn Durkin, and Madilyn Byrd, combined forces to not allow a hit, while the bats came alive to produce 11 runs against the Screaming Eagles (1-8) in the five-inning run rule victory.
GAME ONE
Courtney delivered in the circle, dealing a season-high nine strikeouts in 6.1 innings of work.
A home run by sophomore Lily Holtje in the bottom of the fourth broke the scoreless start before the Minutewomen responded with a run of their own in the top of the fifth.
The Owls scored three in the bottom frame to go back up, starting with sophomore second baseman Destiny Johns delivering a go-ahead hit for the second game in a row and followed by a two-RBI double from Holtje.
Graduate Ainsley Lambert picked up the save, checking in at the top of the seventh and striking out two to end the game.
GAME TWO
Lee got the start and made quick work of Screaming Eagle batters in three innings, retiring nine of the 10 she faced. She earned the win to improve her record to 3-0.
The Owls' offense got started right away in the bottom of the first and batted around the lineup on the way to four runs, highlighted by a two-RBI single from Johns. After loading the bases in the bottom of the second, senior catcher Chloe Yeatts drew a walk to build a 5-0 lead.
Six runs in the bottom frame of the third put the game in run-rule territory, starting with redshirt junior outfielder Kylie Hammonds logging a triple to bring home sophomore Bella Foran and capitalized by a deep two-run single from junior Ciara Gibson.
Durkin and Byrd each struck out the side in their respective innings, punching out six straight batters to end the game.
NOTES/NOTABLE
- The Owls now have two combined no-hitters on the season.
- Lee, Durkin, and Byrd totaled eight strikeouts.
- Holtje's three RBI against UMass is her most in a single game as an Owl. She now leads the Owls in RBI (14) and walks (12).
- With one on the day, Mulholland now has a team high four hit-by-pitches.
- In her collegiate debut, freshman Ava Difato entered as a pinch runner and scored.
- Hammonds recorded her first triple of the season.
QUOTABLE
Postgame with Coach Jordan#WIP🏝️ pic.twitter.com/hlKDtj6NYt
— Florida Atlantic Softball (@FAUSoftball) February 21, 2026
UP NEXT
The Owls will once again play two games on the third day of the Joan Joyce Classic, facing Villanova and then Southern Indiana for the second time. The games are tentatively scheduled for 3:45 and 6:15 p.m., respectively, and will air on FAUSports.com.
FOLLOW THE OWLS
For the Owls' complete schedule, click HERE. To follow the team socially, visit @fausoftball, or for the most up-to-date information, go to www.fausports.com.
Players Mentioned
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UTL
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OF
/ Softball
UTL
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OF
/ Softball
C/1B
/ Softball
UTL
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
C
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